Definition and characteristics of drugs

In all societies drugs have been consumed since ancient times, but over time the characteristics of consumption have changed. This situation is due to the confluence of social and health factors. Among the social factors, the following could be discussed: consumption of drugs known in cultural societies and contexts that were not before, in addition Consumption is basically attributed to the youngest members of society, consumption of synthetic drugs such as LSD and amphetamine derivatives, consumption of more powerful preparations and more direct administration roads (intravenous heroin instead of smoked opium; distilled drinks instead of fermented) and Increase in crime to get money precise to buy them.

In the health field, the changes can be observed in the appearance of new pathologies and reappearance of others almost eradicated from advanced societies. A Increase in tuberculosis associated with carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS), especially in drug addicts parenterally and in marginal alcoholics.

Content

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• What are drugs?
• Basic concepts
• Characteristics of drug dependence
• Drug dependence process
• Drug classification
  • 1. Nervous System depressors
  • 2. Nervous system stimulants
  • 3. Those that alter the perception
• Drug prevalence
• Criteria for the diagnosis of dependence and abuse of substances
  • 1. Substance dependence
  • 2. Substance abuse
• Addictive consumption criteria
• Treatment
  • Physical detoxification
  • Psychological aid programs
  • Bibliographic references

What are drugs?

According to WHO (World Health Organization):

Drug It is "any substance that, introduced in the living organism, can modify one or more of its functions".

That a person is dependent on a drug will be based on the interaction of 3 factors:

1. Personal characteristics or previous experience of the subject.
2. Nature of its general socio -cultural environment and the most immediate.
3. Pharmacodynamic characteristics of the drug in question, taking into account the quantity used, the frequency of the use and route of administration.

Psychic dependence is defined as "a situation in which there is a feeling of satisfaction and a psychic impulse that requires regular and continuous administration of the drug to produce pleasure or avoid discomfort". Physical dependence is defined as "a state of adaptation that is manifested by the appearance of intense physical disorders when drug administration is interrupted". These disorders constitute the "withdrawal syndrome".

Basic concepts

When the consumption of the substance becomes increasingly regular, in order to experience its psychic effects and sometimes to avoid the discomfort produced by its deprivation, we are talking about drug dependence.

The Psychic dependence It is the compulsion to take a specific substance to obtain the experience of pleasant and pleasant effects or avoid discomfort.

The Physical dependence It is a state of adaptation of the body produced by the repeated administration of a substance. It is manifested by the appearance of physical disorders, more or less intense when the administration of the same is interrupted.

He drugs abuse It occurs when there is consumption in large quantities and circumstances that deviate from social or medical guidelines accepted in a given culture.

He abstinence syndrome It is what occurs after having a physical and psychic dependence, at the time the drug is missing, a whole set of physical and psychic signs and symptoms appear, whose intensity and temporal course will depend on the type of drugs and others factors such as frequency, quantity and age of consumption.

He Quencia syndrome They are the psychological symptoms that appear before the withdrawal syndrome and after the effects of the last drug taking, they consist of the experience of generalized anguish, intense need for the taking of the drug with the consequent development of a behavior of behavior with the consequent development of a behavior Search.

The tolerance It is a state of adaptation characterized by the decrease in the response to the same amount of drugs, or by the need for a higher dose to provoke and feel the same effect.

The Cross tolerance It is the phenomenon by which when taking a drug tolerance appears not only to another of the same type, but even to totally different drugs. The previous use of a drug can enhance the effects on the body of other types of drugs.

The acute intoxication It occurs when a amount of drug is taken that the body is not able to eliminate or transform the substance.

The overdose It is the severe acute poisoning that appears when the toxicity limit is exceeded in the body. It depends on the dose of drugs taken, its composition (if it is more or less pure), if it is adulterated and the individual body variables such as weight, metabolism and tolerance.

The polyxicomania either Policonsumo It occurs when the subject is administered a varied range of substances with the explicit objective of keeping their mental functions altered. In many cases there is a main drug that supports dependence, and secondary drugs that complement or replace it in situations of non -availability. Currently it is rare to find a single drug consumer.

By behavior patterns The substances taken by the drug dependent is understood and also its route of administration, frequency, relational context in which consumption, social and cultural support, etc.

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Characteristics of drug dependence

• An unstoppable desire to consume the drug and obtain it by any means.
• A tendency to increase the dose due to the tolerance of the organism towards the same. Higher doses are needed to obtain the same feeling.
• The appearance of a withdrawal syndrome in case of sudden interruption in consumption.

Drug dependence process

• Experimental consumption: These are essays that the person is based on curiosity towards drugs, without explicit intention of repeating consumption.
• Occasional consumption: The person knows the drug and its effects and choosing the most conducive moments and scenarios to feel these effects. Consumption is still spacing and rare.
• Regular consumption: usual consumption with continuity. Active position against consumption.
• Dependence: need for consumption, it is something priority and imperative in your life.

Drug classification

1. Nervous System depressors

Decrease the activity of the central nervous system.

• Opioids: opium, morphine, heroine, metadona.
• Alcoholic beverages: Wine, beer, gin, etc.
• Hypnotics and sedatives: sleepy and tranquilizers.

2. Nervous system stimulants

Increase the activity of the central nervous system.

• Greater: amphetamines, cocaine.
• Minors: coffee, tea, cocoa, tobacco (nicotine).

3. Those that alter the perception

They modify the level of consciousness and different sensations (visual, auditory, etc.).

• Hallucinogens: LSD, Mescalina.
• Cannabis: marijuana, hashish.
• Design drugs: ecstasy, eva, etc.
• INHALANTS: solvents, glue, etc.

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Drug prevalence

Approximately, it can be estimated that between 0.5% and 1% of the adult population is addicted to opioids, between 5% and 10% is alcohol addicted and between 30% and 40% are tobacco addicted. The prevalence of drug use suffers important variations depending on the country and the social, cultural, age and sex environment. In general, young adults of all societies are considered to be the greatest consumers and that prevalence decreases with age (maturation, social obligations)). It is more common in males.

Criteria for the diagnosis of dependence and abuse of substances

According to the American Psychiatric Association, Substance dependence is the maladaptive pattern of substance consumption that entails clinically significant deterioration or discomfort, expressed by three (or more) of the following items at some time of a continuous period of 12 months:

1. Substance dependence

1. Tolerance, defined by: a) need to increase the dose; or b) decrease in effect with the continued consumption of the same amount of substance.
2. Abstinence, defined by; a) The characteristic abstinence syndrome for the substance; or b) The same substances (or a very similar) are consumed to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
3. The substance is consumed in greater quantity or in a greater period than the person intended.
4. You want persistently or attempts on one or more occasions to abandon or control the consumption of the substance.
5. A lot of time is used in activities necessary to obtain the substance (for example, theft), consume it or recover from its effects.
6. Considerable reduction or abandonment of social, labor or recreational activities due to substance consumption.
7. The drug continues to be consumed despite being aware of having a social, psychological or physical, persistent or recurring problem, caused or stimulated by the consumption of the substance.

2. Substance abuse

1. Recurrent consumption of substances, which results in the breach of obligations at work, school or at home.
2. Recurrent consumption of the substance in situations where doing so is physically dangerous (for example, driving a car or driving machinery).
3. Repeated legal problems related to the substance.
4. Continuous consumption of the substance, despite having continuous social problems or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance.

Addictive consumption criteria

Washton and Boundy (1991) propose four criteria to distinguish when the consumption of a drug or other addiction (game, purchases, work, sex) becomes addictive.

1. Obsession. Irresistible need and intense desire to consume the drug. The addicted consumer is obsessed with obtaining and consuming the drug. This is a priority to any other activity.
2. Lost of control. Inability to self -limit or control consumption. The addict can stop its use temporarily, but believes that it is impossible not to consume the drug, even with maximum efforts of self -control and willpower.
3. Negative consequences. Continuous consumption despite the consequences such as economic, family, labor, organic and psychopathological problems.
4. Denial. It refuses that drug use is a problem. It does not warn the severity of the negative effects, denies that there is a problem and gets angry or put on the defensive if someone indicates that their consumption is out of control.

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Treatment

Physical detoxification

Physical detoxification can be practiced ambulatory or in a hospital detoxification unit. The object of detoxification is to allow the addict to overcome withdrawal syndrome in the safest, comfortable and successful way possible. This detoxification lasts between two and three weeks. If practiced in an outpatient regime, a combination of opioid, tranquilizer and hypnotic derivatives is used. Hospital detoxification against the ambulatory presents the advantages of allowing to control the administered medication, observe the symptoms of abstinence by a specialized team and to be able to perform laboratory tests.

Psychological aid programs

All centers that offer help programs can be used before, during or after physical detoxification treatment. These are open centers where addicts find specialized professionals, and also other aid such as food, drink, showers basic medical attention and, in some, syringes and condoms.

During treatment you can resort to day centers and to those of activities in which a therapeutic occupation is sought to the addict to stabilize its abstinence. They are offered: individual and group psychological support, cultural, sports and artistic activities. They are used as support of the Drug -free treatment and metadona maintenance programs. After treatment programs can be used Reintegration Laboral, sports and judicial.

Bibliographic references

• González-Sáiz, f. (2012). Treaty of drug dependencies. Elsevier Spain.
• López-Muñoz, f., & Uucha-deb, r. (2016). Drugs: Myths and realities. Pyramid editions.
• Martínez, m. J. (2015). Abuse drugs: psychopharmacology, legislation and treatment. Elsevier Spain.
• Rodríguez-Jiménez, r., Jiménez-Arriero, m. TO., & Ponce, G. (2012). Addiction treaty. Pan -American Medical Editorial.
• Valderrama-Zurian, J. C., & López-Muñoz, F. (2019). Drugs and society. Pyramid editions.